Amritsar (India), Dec 2016

Amritsar is home to the Golden Temple, the spiritual and cultural centre for the Sikh religion. It is the holiest shrine of the Sikhs, which attracts more visitors than Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on weekdays and is the most popular destination for non-resident Indians in the whole of India.

Everybody, irrespective of cast, creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfilment in the Golden Temple without any hindrance.

The shrine was damaged seven times by foreign invaders and it was rebuilt, the last of which was in 1764. The upper floors and wall panels were covered in gold-plated copper sheets

This the limit as far as I went before the temple. Nothing can stop us from entering this narrow walkway before reaching the shrine but the long beeline was just too long. You will likely get a few minutes within the sanctum before you are gently urged to exit and make way for other devotees. Better not waste time!

The holy book was placed and carried in a (don't know what your call) and is installed in the temple every morning and returned at night to the Akal Takhat

Meditation

It pays to know somebody to get you in.

So proud of their moustache

An Indian showing his prowess

Face off

Enroute to work

Heading to the Golden Temple. The temple is a mesmerising blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural, with an elegant marble skirt around the lower level adorned with flower and animal motifs in pietra dura work (as seen on the Taj Mahal). Above this rises a shimmering second level, encased in intricately engraved gold panels, and topped by a dome gilded with 750kg of gold. In the gleaming inner sanctum (photography prohibited), priests and musicians keep up a continuous chant from the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy book), adding to the already intense atmosphere.

By dust

It was cold that night and nothing can stopped them from having a dip.

Head above all. Was I in the midst?

Pilgrims bow in prayer towards its glory.

Cleansing of legs by threading in a shallow pool before entering the temple

Ear cleansing by the street. The cotton for cleaning was simply tucked above the ear

The Temple was surrounded by a lake which the water is considered scared. Buildings in milky white marbles encircled the entire compound which provides 4 entrances.

Pilgrims can be seen taking a dip in the lake, a symbolic purging of the soul in the holy waters. The water is said to have healing power

Long long queue

A marble walkway surrounds the temple with milky white buildings protecting it on all four sides.

It is forbidden to feed the fishes

Legs has to be folded by regulation if sit by the pool

The ceremony takes place at 5am and 9.30pm in winter, and 4am and 10.30pm in summer, everyday rain or shine, where the holy book is installed in the temple every morning and returned at night to the Akal Takhat,

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